The purpose of this chapter is to identify and provide reference to all special purpose zones within the city. Special purpose zones provide unique development regulations to subject property than may otherwise be granted through the application of any base zoning district provided by this title. Currently there are two special purpose zones in the city:

A. Specific Plan zones;

B. Special planning area zones. [Ord. 8-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Purpose of the Specific Plan Zoning District. The purpose of the Specific Plan zoning district is to designate unique planning areas within the city for which the city council has adopted or requires adoption of a separate planning document (a Specific Plan) consistent with the General Plan and state law. The contents, requirements, and adoption and amendment procedures for Specific Plans are listed in Chapter 23.152 RCMC (Specific Plans).

B. Designation. Specific Plan zoning districts shall be delineated on the zoning map in a manner similar to that of any other zoning district except that each Specific Plan-zoned area shall also bear a name, number, symbol, or other delineation, as determined by the planning director, which distinguishes it from other Specific Plan zones, base zoning districts, or overlay zones. The assignment of the Specific Plan zone designation serves to provide a reference to the corresponding Specific Plan zoning document adopted by ordinance of the city council. Applicable zoning regulations and standards applicable to the land area are provided in the Specific Plan zones document, as adopted by reference in this title.

C. Specific Plans Adopted by Reference. The following Specific Plans have been adopted as part of this title by reference and are so designated on the zoning map of the city:

1. Mather Specific Plan (adopted 1997 by Sacramento County);

2. Sunridge Specific Plan (adopted July 17, 2002, by Sacramento County);

3. Folsom Boulevard Specific Plan (first adopted November 6, 2006, by Ordinance No. 57-2006; amended July 7, 2008, by Ordinance No. 13-2008).

D. Allowed Uses. Allowed uses within the Specific Plan area are those listed uses in the adopted Specific Plan document. A Specific Plan may reference the allowed use provisions of the concurrent base zoning district contained in this title; however, in the event that there are conflicts between the provisions of the Specific Plan and this title, the Specific Plan shall prevail. BESS facilities, as defined by RCMC 23.1104.040 (Land Use Definitions), are an allowed use for those parcels identified as Sunridge Specific Plan limited commercial (LC) zoning district upon issuance of a conditional use permit as required by Chapter 23.134 RCMC (Conditional Use Permit).

E. Development Standards. Development standards within the Specific Plan area are those standards listed in the adopted Specific Plan. A Specific Plan may reference the development standards of this title, in which case the standards of this title shall apply. Where a Specific Plan is silent regarding a city-wide standard (e.g., sign regulations), the city standard shall apply. Where a Specific Plan establishes unique standards that are in conflict with the standards of this title, the Specific Plan standards shall prevail. BESS facilities, as defined in RCMC 23.1104.040 (Land Use Definitions), in the Sunridge Specific Plan limited commercial (LC) zoning district are subject to the standards in RCMC 23.907.030 (Utility facilities and infrastructure) and those standards in RCMC 23.316.040 (Development standards for general commercial and industrial zones) applicable to the general commercial (GC) district. [Ord. 8-2023 § 3 (Exh. A); Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. A)].

A. Purpose of the Special Planning Area Zone. The purpose of this district is to designate unique planning areas within the city for which the city council has adopted or requires adoption of a separate planning document, a special planning area, consistent with the General Plan and state law. The contents, requirements, and adoption and amendment procedures for special planning areas are listed in Chapter 23.149 RCMC (Special Planning Areas).

B. Designation. Special planning area zoning districts shall be delineated on the zoning map in a manner similar to that of any other zoning district except that each special planning area-zoned area shall also bear a name, number, symbol, or other delineation, as determined by the planning director, which distinguishes it from other special planning area zoning districts, base zoning districts, or overlay zoning districts. The assignment of the special planning area zoning district designation serves to provide a reference to the corresponding special planning area zoning district document adopted by ordinance of the city council. Applicable zoning regulations and standards applicable to the land area are provided in the special planning area zones document, as adopted by reference in this title.

C. Special Planning Areas Adopted by Reference. The following special planning areas have been adopted as part of this title by reference and are so designated on the zoning map of the city:

1. Williamson Ranch Special Planning Area (adopted by Ordinance 77-SPA-14 by Sacramento County);

2. Cordova Industrial Uses Neighborhood Preservation Area (adopted 1989 by Sacramento County);

3. South Sunrise Special Planning Area (adopted July 12, 1995, by Sacramento County);

4. Aerojet Special Planning Area (adopted by Ordinance SCZ 95-0014 by Sacramento County in 1994; amended by Ordinance 97-0040 by Sacramento County on September 10, 1997);

5. Zinfandel Special Planning Area (aka, Village of Zinfandel) (adopted August 7, 2002, by Sacramento County);

6. Mather Field Special Planning Area (adopted June 11, 1997, by Ordinance SZC 97-0021 by Sacramento County; amended by Ordinance 14-2013);

7. Capital Village Special Planning Area (adopted April 4, 2006, by Ordinance No. 6-2005).

D. Allowed Uses. Allowed uses within the special planning area are those listed uses in the adopted special planning area document. A special planning area may reference the allowed use provisions of the concurrent base zoning district contained in this title; however, in the event that there are conflicts between the provisions of the special planning area and this title, the special planning area shall prevail.

E. Development Standards. Development standards within the special planning area are those standards listed in the adopted special planning area. A special planning area may reference the development standards of this title, in which case the standards in this title shall apply. Where a special planning area is silent regarding a city-wide standard (e.g., sign regulations), the city standards shall apply. Where a special planning area establishes unique standards that are in conflict with the standards of this title, the special planning area standards shall prevail. [Ord. 14-2013 § 3; Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. A)].

It is the intent of the city council in adopting the special planning area ordinance codified in this chapter to continue to allow development in the South Sunrise auto dismantlers area, described in Exhibit 23.1005.020-1 to the ordinance codified in this chapter, under the standards and uses permitted in the M-2 zone. It is also the intent of the city council in adopting the ordinance codified in this chapter to allow the incidental sales of clean title or salvaged automobiles in conjunction with auto dismantling businesses.

The objectives of South Sunrise auto dismantlers special planning area are:

A. To recognize the existing development of dense screen trees planted in the landscaped setback areas adjacent to public streets, which improves the aesthetics along Sunrise Boulevard and other public streets in the South Sunrise area. These characteristics support the application of different standards.

B. To maintain and continue the existing pattern of dense screen trees in a 25-foot landscape area along Sunrise Boulevard and other public streets in the South Sunrise area.

C. To require, when auto parts or dismantled vehicles are stored outside at a level higher than the fence or wall, there shall be a dense screening trees to shield the view from the public street.

D. To allow the outside storage height of auto parts and dismantled vehicles stored behind an enclosed wall or fence so as not to be seen from the public street and to allow the storage height to increase as the setback from the public street and wall increases in a “tiered” manner.

E. To allow the incidental sales of clean title or salvaged automobiles and trucks in conjunction with auto dismantling in the South Sunrise auto dismantlers special planning area.

F. To encourage the use of side yard areas away from public streets for the storage of dismantled vehicle parts. [Ord. 4-2017 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. B)].

Sections described in this chapter and adopted by ordinance are to regulate the property described in Exhibit 23.1005.020-1, attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter, the boundaries of the area regulated. [Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. B)].

Those uses permitted and conditionally permitted in the M-2 zoning district classification, as regulated by the M-2 zoning district classification, Table 23.316-1, Allowed Use and Permit Requirements for General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts, of the city of Rancho Cordova zoning code, except that:

A. The storage of dismantled vehicles shall be permitted, subject to the provisions in RCMC 23.1005.040.

B. The incidental sales of clean title or salvaged automobiles and trucks shall be allowed as regulated in this section. The incidental sales and display of clean title or salvaged cars and trucks shall be limited to utilizing no more than 15 percent of the total site. The sales and display of clean title or salvaged cars and trucks in the South Sunrise auto dismantlers special planning area shall take place within an enclosed yard area or enclosed building, within the buildable portion of the lot. (Display of vehicles may occur in the front parking, as long as the vehicles are not occupying the required on-site parking for the business.)

C. All existing dismantling operations with a valid use permit in effect on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may continue to operate under the conditions of approval adopted by the county. [Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. B)].

The development standards shall be those of the M-2 zoning district classification of the city of Rancho Cordova zoning code, except that auto dismantling and wrecking yard and the incidental sales of clean title or salvaged autos and trucks shall be as regulated herein.

A. Outside Storage of Dismantled Vehicles.

1. The yard shall be enclosed by a metal fence or masonry wall not less than six feet high, maximum height may be increased to no more than 14 feet high, subject to a limited use permit (See RCMC 23.125.010), and subject to the enclosure designs in Figure 1.

2. Chain link and electrified fence may be used subject to a limited use permit (See RCMC 23.125.010). Where the storage of dismantled vehicles or parts abuts another property along an interior lot line which is used by an auto dismantler or includes the outdoor storage of materials, parts or vehicles, chain link fence is allowed along the interior lot line.

3. No dismantled vehicle parts shall be stored higher than the fence or wall immediately adjacent to any public street.

4. When a 25-foot landscaped setback is provided along any public right-of-way with dense screen trees, the outside storage height of auto parts and dismantled vehicles stored behind an enclosed fence or wall shall be allowed to exceed the height of the fence or wall, based on the storage setback high point from the fence or wall, according to the following subsections.

B. If a solid metal fence or masonry wall is set back from the street right-of-way, a minimum of 25 feet, and there is landscaping or parking and screening trees landscaping between the right of way and the fence or wall, as required by this section, the following provisions shall apply:

1. Internal Street Views Within the SSSPA.

a. Within a distance of 10 feet of the fence or wall, dismantled vehicle parts may not be stored higher than the required fence or wall.

b. Between 10 feet and 50 feet from the fence or wall, dismantled vehicle parts may be stored to a height not to exceed three feet above the fence or wall.

2. Street View from Sunrise Boulevard. No dismantled vehicle parts or vehicles shall be stored higher than the screen fence or wall, within 20 feet of the fence or wall. Dismantled parts and vehicles may be stored higher than the fence or wall, if tree plantings from the city’s preferred screening tree list, as a guide, are planted in double rows, at least every 20 feet on center in an offset pattern. At maturity the trees shall provide screening to a height of at least 12 feet above the enclosing fence or wall or at least 20 feet above the ground, whichever is greater.

C. The outside storage of dismantled vehicles and/or auto parts stored is permitted behind permanent on-site buildings that completely screen the view of the storage from the public street right-of-way and shall not exceed the height of the building.

D. Where the storage of dismantled vehicles or parts abut a property which is not used by an auto dismantler nor includes the outdoor storage of materials, parts or vehicles, the following standard shall apply:

1. The storage of dismantled vehicles or parts shall be screened behind either a solid masonry wall or combination of solid metal fence/masonry wall. Said fence or wall may be constructed up to 14 feet in height with limited use permit approval; or

2. The storage of dismantled vehicles or parts which extend above the height of the solid masonry wall or combination of solid metal fence/masonry wall shall be set back from the property line 10 feet for every five feet of storage above the height of the fence or wall. (Example: If there is an eight-foot fence, then storage height up to 13 feet must be set back 10 feet from the property line.)

Figure 1. Preferred Screening and Fence and Wall Details

[Ord. 6-2011 § 3 (Exh. B)].